Formby are left sweating

FORMBY remain just above the drop zone in the LDCC First Division after drawing at home to Liverpool on Saturday.

Lawrence Armstrong’s men had looked well set to pick up what would have been a vital victory, posting a competitive total of 232 from their innings.

But a stubborn Liverpool batting performance saw them make 214/8 off their 47 overs, with Formby grateful for a late collapse, as the visitors at one point threatened to turn a draw into a victory.

Having been surprisingly put in to bat first, Formby were given a decent start from openers Armstrong and Aaron Flaherty. Flaherty made 25 before he was the first man to fall, with Jude Mahadanaarachchi following soon after.

Armstrong, though, moved on to 39, a knock which featured eight boundaries, as he and Ian Cockbain (45) moved the innings along well.

A decent contribution from Elliot Ketteringham (38) and some sharp late hitting from Jan Gadzina (35 not out) took the score past 200, setting Liverpool 233 to win.

But when visiting openers James Seymour and Daniel Hints put on 62 for the opening wicket, it was very much game on. Seymour eventually departed for 42, but Hints went on to his half-century, finishing with 69 included a dozen boundaries.

Waqar Khan chipped in with 30, but Anthony Rogan took two crucial wickets to stem the flow of runs, and Armstrong crucially ran out James McNally, who had looked well set on 30.

It meant Liverpool were unable to reach their target, as they eventually ran out of overs just 19 runs short, and with just two wickets remaining.

The draw does little for either side in truth. Formby remain 10th in the table, 16 points ahead of Northop Hall. Liverpool are eighth, 12 points clear of Formby.

Formby’s 2XI, meanwhile, recorded a five-wicket win away to Maghull.

Having bowled the hosts out for 190 in 42 overs, Formby needed just 38 to reach their target and pick up a strong victory.

This weekend sees the 1XI travel to seventh-placed Wigan on Saturday. The 2XI take on Liverpool at home.